Ce que nous prenons pour des vertus n'est souvent qu'un assemblage de diverses actions et de divers interets, que la fortune ou notre industrie savent arranger; et ce n'est pas toujours par valeur et par chastete que les hommes sont vaillants, et que les femmes sont chastes.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Virtues are often just convenient mixes of actions and interests arranged by chance or skill, not true virtue.
- In plain terms
- Good behavior is often just smart choices, not true goodness.
- What can you take from it?
- Appearances of virtue may hide self-interest.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do you do good things?
- Can you trust virtue?
Another view
Actions can be virtuous regardless of motive.
More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Nos vertus ne sont, le plus souvent, que de vices deguises.
Permalink to quote #1 L'amour-propre est le plus grand de tous les flatteurs.
Permalink to quote #3 La passion fait souvent un fou du plus habile homme, et rend souvent les plus sots habiles.
Permalink to quote #4
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